The raids and the reality!

The often trolled and dormant central investigative agencies suddenly seemed to have awakened from their deep sleep. Courts have often interfered with a speedy investigation by the central agencies by restricting their activities, subjugating them to the whims of the States where they need to investigate. The role of central governments, frequently using the central agencies like the ED, and CBI, are perceived to punish the errant politicians in opposition. It dilutes the essence of responsible investigations and meaningful closures of cases pursued, if true.

Despite much evidence, cases like the Sarada Chit fund scam, Narada sting, Rose Valley and I-Core have convicted a few perpetrators but left the bribe takers largely untouched. The result of a political assault by the States that the agencies are tools of the central government may not be off the mark, given the poor rate of convictions. The wide suspicion is that the central government uses the clinching evidence to buy political support from the opposition.

The latest hyper-activism by the ED seemingly follows a diktat. A West Bengal minister, the General Secretary of TMC, and his accomplice are in custody, as is a powerful district president of the ruling TMC party. Every day a few crores are unearthed from various places.

The role of political leaders from the ruling party leaves much to be desired. Instead of keeping quiet, they support those arrested with the usual rhetoric that the Centre is vindictive by unleashing its agencies, which are detrimental to the business interests of Bengal. Many have reacted silly, threatening to beat up adversaries, critics one going to the extent of skinning the opponents and making shoes out of the flayed skin! Undeniably these are signs of panic.

Even before filing a charge sheet, the District president has been termed innocent and clean. What is missed is the huge pile of hidden cash and vast illegal properties accessed by the agencies, which gives credence to the raids and weakens the leaders’ argument.

However, in the many decades of their existence, the central agencies have no record of successfully landing on cash hills often as now. It is possible only when there is insider information, which in the case of the minister and the district president could be from his past accomplices, now turned hostile. The fissures are discernible now and could result from a battle within the party to weed out the old and corrupt by the ‘next-generation’ leaders.

My argument is based on more and more banners appearing at a ‘New Trinamool’ party soon in Bengal. It has only the picture of the scion and number two in the party, Abhishek Banerjee, the nephew of the CM. A vain attempt was made to clip his wings a few months ago in a party reshuffle. However, Abhishek has not only emerged alive but victorious and stronger than ever. The youths in the party were the proponents of one-man-one-post, which unnerved many elders who seemed affected by the present ED raids.

Could there have been an understanding between the youth forum led by Abhishek and the Centre to weed out corrupt leaders from the party and have a tacit understanding with the Trinamool and the BJP? Only time can tell.

Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix